An Air Force pilot flying a trainer aircraft died Tuesday after his plane collided with another during a routine training mission in Kaohsiung.
The pilot Chuang Bei-yuan tried to parachute to safety but he ejected from the plane at too low an altitude as he tried to avoid crashing into a residential area. Chuang sustained serious injuries after falling to the ground and died after failed attempts to revive him at a hospital. He was 37 years old.
The other plane managed to land safely at the Air Force Academy in Kaohsiung with minor damage.
Both pilots are senior pilots that have clocked in more than 2,000 flight hours. The two had just participated in the flyover at the Presidential Office on National Day celebrations on Oct. 10.
The Air Force said it has set up a task force to look into the cause of the accident.